EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Hartford softball team and coaching staff participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's most recent event, a two-mile walk held at East Hartford's Rentschler Field on Sunday, September 19. This year's walk hit close to home for the Hawks as Nicole Springer, a sophomore on the softball team, was recently diagnosed with diabetes.
As a team, the Hawks raised over $500. In honor of Springer and her fight against diabetes, each member of the softball team sported lime green headbands and bows at this past Saturday's doubleheader against Marist which served as the kick-off to the 2010 fall season.
“I am very proud of our team for doing such a wonderful job of supporting Nicole and the fight to help find the cure for diabetes,” commented head coach Diana Consolmagno. “Not only did our team raise donations and walk but they also showed their support for Nicole by wearing lime green headbands in our games against Marist on Saturday. It really shows how much our team cares about each other.”
Last season, Springer collected America East All-Conference First Team honors, landing a spot on the squad as the designated player, while earning a spot on the conference's all-rookie team. The New Britain, Conn. native was the only player to start and play in every game in 2010 and closed out her rookie season hitting at a clip of .325. Springer notched 40 hits, 19 of which went for extra-bases, and led the team with 34 RBI. In addition, she entered Hartford's record book last season with a team leading 14 doubles, tying Rachel Clonick for the most in a single season.
The JDRF is the worldwide leader for research to cure type I diabetes. The Foundation sets the global agenda for diabetes research and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Since its founding in 1970 by parents and children with type I diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.4 billion to diabetes research.
